Solid-state imaging device and driving method therefor

Abstract

A solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array, vertical signal lines, a constant current source, a signal processing circuit. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The vertical signal lines are disposed for each pixel column in the pixel array and connected to a transistor at an output stage of the pixels in a source-follower configuration. The constant current source supplies a constant current to the vertical signal lines. The signal processing circuit reads out electrical signals from the pixels. One side of the vertical signal lines are connected to the constant current sources, and the other side of the vertical signal lines are connected to the signal processing circuit.

1 . A solid-state imaging device comprising:
 a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element;   vertical signal lines disposed for each pixel column in the pixel array and connected to a transistor at an output stage of the pixels in a source-follower configuration;   a constant current source for supplying a constant current to the vertical signal lines; and   a signal processing circuit configured to read out an electrical signal from the pixels,   wherein one side of the vertical signal lines are connected to the constant current source, and the other side of the vertical signal lines are connected to the signal processing circuit.   
   
   
       2 . The solid-state imaging device according to  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing circuit connected to odd-numbered vertical signal lines is disposed on an opposite side of the signal processing circuit connected to even-numbered vertical signal lines. 
   
   
       3 . A driving method for a solid-state imaging device which includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels each of which includes a photoelectric conversion element, arranged in a matrix form, vertical signal lines disposed for each pixel column in the pixel array and connected to a transistor at an output stage of the pixels in a source-follower configuration, a constant current source, connected to the vertical signal lines, for supplying a constant current to the vertical signal lines, and a signal processing circuit, connected to the vertical signal lines, for reading out an electrical signal from the pixels, the method comprising the step of:
 flowing a current in a direction opposite to the signal processing circuit by the constant current source to read out the electrical signal stored in the pixels to the signal processing circuit.   
   
   
       4 . The driving method for a solid-state imaging device according to  claims 3 , wherein a direction of the current flowing through odd-numbered vertical signal lines is opposite to a direction of the current flowing through even-numbered vertical signal lines.